3.10.11

Shirley, Lula, the Gentlewoman & I

I like to really make the most of my magazine reading. You have to, I think, when your favourites only come out twice a year. I plan them into my free time, deciding whether to read them at home, curled up on the couch, or in a cafe curled up in the atmosphere. I also carefully consider what to drink while I read them – every magazine has its own personality, just like every drink, I think.

I'm not ashamed to tell you that I read the whole of the new issue of The Gentlewoman in one long, coffee-fuelled sitting this weekend. It's just wonderful.
The Gentlewoman
Gentlewomen
When I begin to read a Gentlewoman article, I instantly remember why it buoys me up so much. For me, it's just like coffee, which (as I seldom drink it) buoys me up a whole lot when I do have a cup. The Gentlewoman always reminds me that a world where people who achieve amazing things really exists, and the old-fashioned profiles within it are endlessly inspiring. It's sophisticated, and deserves a sophisticated drink, I think. Too early in the day for brandy or wine, cafetiere coffee is perfect.
Lula & Shirley
Lula, on the other hand, is more of a 'shirley temple' mocktail magazine for me. I like to read as slowly as possible, drawing it out and making its whimsy charm last as long as possible. It's sweet, but can get a little saccharine if you do too much at a time. 

This lovely drink was perfect on a hot day (as Sunday was). A cool long drink with ginger ale, orange juice and grenadine, it seemed to fit old Lula's personality quite nicely.
Funny Girl, that Shirley

5 comments:

  1. magazine time is my favourite! i love turning each page not knowing what to expect and the smell of the nice paper. i have a couple i haven't even opened yet, i'm going to make time with tea and a blanket this afternoon :)

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  2. I really need to find a copy of the Gentlewoman, the title alone is just so good. I like to savor magazines too. I always read oh, comely with a cup of peppermint tea.

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  3. i am still waiting in anticipation for my Lula to come. and yes, i love reading magazines with a cup of chai tea and some cookies.

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  4. Yes yes so true! Reading materials do have their own proper pairings, like the standard drip coffee and New York Times (maybe an Americano for the Wall Street Journal?). I will have to try this Lula / mocktail combo.

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  5. Lula and Gentlewoman are my two favorite magazines. I'm starting to outgrow Lula, though, since turning 30. Gentlewoman is such a rare and beautiful publication. The black and white photos and paper quality kill me. Two new magazines I recently discovered and have tentatively elevated to my favorites group are Kinfolk (talk about paper quality!) and The Chicagoan (probably just a Chicago mag to start).

    Magazine reading always lifts my mood. I remember consciously feeling very mature I first got my subscription to Sassy as a preteen and lounged on my bed reading from cover to cover, playing a tape in my boom box. Even now cracking into a new magazine gives me a bit of that kind of excitement.

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